Escape Room Reviews in Calgary & Edmonton http://escaperoomreport.ca ESCAPE ROOM REPORT - Ben and Paulie recap, rate, and review escape rooms in Calgary, Edmonton, and surrounding Alberta areas. Sun, 15 Apr 2018 08:18:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ https://escaperoomreport.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/rrrrrrrrrr.png?w=32 Escape Room Reviews in Calgary & Edmonton http://escaperoomreport.ca 32 32 QUARTERBACK SNEAK http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/09/08/quarterback-sneak/ http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/09/08/quarterback-sneak/#respond Sat, 09 Sep 2017 04:12:05 +0000 http://escaperoomreport.ca/?p=5383 Lookin’ good Edmonton. 😉

> EDMONTON (YEG) > Escape City

ows_149309202386911

recappppp

  • Website: Escape City
  • Address: 5916 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 2K3
  • Private Booking: No
  • Price: $25 per person
  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Linearity: Nonlinear
  • Group size: #medium
  • Player Level: #competent
  • Features:
  • Premise: “The Edmonton Eskimos and Saskatchewan Roughriders are set to square off this afternoon in the CFL Western Final and your team’s star quarterback, Arms Magee, has been kidnapped by the notorious superfan group known as the Gridiron Gang.With only an hour until kickoff, it’s up to you to save the season. Can you force a fumble and intercept Arms in time to get him back on the field?”

ratingssss

RATING PAULIE BEN
Service tenten ninenine
Puzzles ninenine ninenine
Look ninenine tenten
Immersion ninenine ninenine
Theme ninenine tenten

reviewwwww

Service tentenPAULIE

Disclaimer: We did this room in Saskatoon. We’ve been told by the manager in Saskatoon and the manager in Edmonton that their rooms are identical, save for a couple of puzzles.

One of the puzzles was wonky in its execution. Our gamemaster was happy enough to call the manager and have her explain the solution. She also provided some behind-the-scene tidbits about how the theme of the room came to be.

ninenineBEN

The Saskatoon location’s lobby looks pretty similar to the one in Edmonton! We got the same great in service in Saskatoon as we did in Edmonton. At the end, the manager came to walk us through one puzzle that we couldn’t quite get, which was great!

Puzzles nineninePAULIE

Consistent with other Escape City rooms, the puzzles were top-notch. They toe the line between difficult and too difficult. They always push your mental limits but not so much that the solution becomes impossible. There are a lot of creative surprises here.

This room, especially, will test not only your wits but your teamwork. The highlight was a puzzle involving crates that will make you hustle like never before. It was physically demanding, mentally taxing, and will test how much you can stand your teammates. I loved every second of it.

ninenineBEN

The puzzles in this room were non-linear, which was nice to see because we don’t do a lot of non-linear rooms. For the most part, I liked the difficulty level of the puzzles – there were some thinky ones and some others that required a bit more physical interaction. One qualm I had was that we got stuck on a puzzle that needed some background knowledge – unfortunately, my group was not very familiar with football.

Look PAULIEninenine

The first part of the room was packed to the brim with details. The second part was appropriate but a bit lacking.

tentenBEN

As is usual with Escape City rooms, Quarterback Sneak looked amazing! I definitely got a gang hideout vibe here – the decor was tasteful and appropriate, and it also advertised some of my favourite places to go in Edmonton (seriously, visit Duchess Bakery if you can). It was a smaller space, but they managed to fit everything in without it feeling cramped.

One thing I wanted to mention in particular are the videos played on the in-room TV. They were absolutely incredible and were a testament to the high quality standards of Escape City!

Immersion nineninePAULIE

True to Escape City’s form, the puzzles were the strongest anchor for immersion. You will think, work, move, talk, and (if you’re like us) play foosball the entire time.

ninenineBEN

What I love about non-linear rooms is that if you’re not making progress on the puzzle you’re working on, you can move to a different one and keep going. This way, there isn’t a lot of standing around and waiting, which was great!

Theme nineninePAULIE

Seamlessly integrating Edmonton’s finest spots, the theme was one-of-a-kind. You’ll watch with mouths agape admiring Escape City’s beautiful production. There will be a lot of “Oh! I know where that is!”

tentenBEN

This was an incredibly unique theme, and such a fantastic way to promote some local Edmonton businesses. I really don’t want to say much more, because I feel like you just need to get in there and do this room.

Overall PAULIEDiamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-com

This room gets a #diamond for being a solid addition to Escape City’s consistently fun and challenging rooms. The theme hit close to home and featured Edmonton’s finest.

BENDiamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-com

Definitely a #diamond. Bring anyone and everyone (just not too many people because it might get a bit cramped).

  • Completed: August 2017
  • Escaped: No (3 people)
  • Our Time: 0:45+
  • # of hints used: 1

 

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THE DARKEST MANOR http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/09/04/the-darkest-manor/ http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/09/04/the-darkest-manor/#respond Tue, 05 Sep 2017 04:48:38 +0000 http://escaperoomreport.ca/?p=5353 With a cameo from Emma Watson.

> CALGARY (YYC) > Breakout

strangerthingslights

recappppp

  • Website: Breakout
  • Address: 810 Centre St N, Calgary, AB T2E 8K1
  • Private Booking: Yes
  • Price: $25 per person
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Linearity: Mixed
  • Group size: #small
  • Player Level: #rookie
  • Features:
  • Premise: “We had been scouting houses for months looking for our next big hit, but after the city installed those god damn LED lamp posts, trying to break-in was getting more and more sketchy. So one night while commiserating in a pub together, you all thought it was over, but one friend wanted to go out in style. One last time you thought, you could absolutely use the money anyway.”

ratingssss

RATING PAULIE BEN
Service ninenine ninenine
Puzzles ninenine sevenseven
Look sevenseven eighteight
Immersion eighteight ninenine
Theme eighteight sixsix

reviewwwww

Service nineninePAULIE

Our gamemaster was eager–maybe a bit too eager. He started with the usual “Have you done any escape rooms before?” We answered with a yes but he proceeded with the longest spiel of the rules and how escape rooms work.

ninenineBEN

They got us in and out quickly and took the time to answer our questions at the end. There was an instance where someone had to come in to manually activate something for us because there was a piece of tech that wasn’t working, but they were able to spot it from their cameras without us having to call them in. Smooth!

Puzzles nineninePAULIE

The puzzles were a good mix of simple and straightforward, as well as complex and multi-layered. They leaned heavily on low-tech locks, true to Breakout Calgary’s form. There was enough creativity here for both rookies and pros.

The main highlight was a puzzle referencing Stranger Things. The execution was clever and the payoff was satisfying.

sevensevenBEN

Overall, I think the puzzles here were a bit simple. There were a few that I wish had a few more steps to solve so that our group could have more to do since it felt very straightforward.

Look PAULIEsevenseven

This is Breakout Calgary’s second residence-themed room (after Final Request). It’s set in a suburban apartment complete with the usual furniture staples.

It was cute enough. For a horror-themed room though, the room mostly stayed cute and didn’t transform into something more scary.

eighteightBEN

This room went for an older, vintage feeling. It was decorated accordingly, with some older furniture pieces and some old school wallpaper. A standout for me in this room was the lighting – I really liked how they played with it!

Immersion eighteightPAULIE

In terms of scares, this was on the milder end of the spectrum. There were jumps and screams from us, but that scared feeling did not linger throughout the room. We would let out a loud “AH!” sporadically but the room did not sustain its spooky atmosphere.

ninenineBEN

I loved how the tech was the driving force of this room – this definitely made it more immersive! Unfortunately, with tech comes tech problems, and although someone had to come in to fix our issue (and scared me in the process), they did it quickly and smoothly.

Theme eighteightPAULIE

This was supposed to be a heist in a haunted mansion, but the story got a bit convoluted with the information you find in the room.

Who were the people missing? Why were there random body parts strewn across the room? Who was warning us to get out?

sixsixBEN

I’m very confused about this room’s theme. I felt like it was trying to do too much, so instead of having one strong and cohesive theme, it felt disjointed and undeveloped. I definitely think it would benefit from a bit of streamlining from the story perspective.

Overall PAULIETv1IU1J

We got out in record time of 30 minutes (out of one hour) which led to a “Oh wow, that’s it?” feeling. While there were certainly jumps, this room could have upped the notch in terms of the scary factor because Breakout Calgary is capable of it. This room gets a #gold for being a good (but mild) horror offering.

BENTv1IU1J

I would give this room a #gold. There’s not a lot of scary rooms in Calgary, and while this one isn’t the best, I think it’s still a solid offering that’s worth a visit if you’re up for something spooky.

  • Completed: September 2017
  • Escaped? Yes (4 people)
  • Our Time: 0:30 (/1:00)
  • # of hints used: 0
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THE DIRECTIVE http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/09/04/5316/ http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/09/04/5316/#respond Tue, 05 Sep 2017 04:23:36 +0000 http://escaperoomreport.ca/?p=5316 Qualifications: Must be proficient in braille and Minesweeper.

> EDMONTON (YEG) > GTFO

Silhouette Of Man Walking In Tunnel. Light At End Of Tunnel

recappppp

  • Website: GTFO
  • Address: 10018 105 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1C3
  • Private Booking: No
  • Price: $25 per person
  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Linearity: Nonlinear
  • Group size: #large
  • Player Level: #pro
  • Features:
  • Premise: “There exists a group of elite operatives who defend the world in secret. They are a shadow agency known only as the Directive. In their successes, you have never had a reason to know they exist. Therefore… you should understand the dire nature of why they’re reaching out to you now.”

ratingssss

RATING PAULIE BEN
Service tenten tenten
Puzzles tenten ninenine
Look ninenine eighteight
Immersion tenten ninenine
Theme eighteight eighteight

reviewwwww

Service tentenPAULIE

The people at GTFO strike the perfect balance between professional and friendly.

tentenBEN

Cookies, water, and friendly and efficient staff. What else is there to ask for? Since there was no one booked after us, they also gave us an extra 10 minutes to finish the room when we didn’t get out, so that was very nice!

Puzzles PAULIEtenten

The puzzling in The Directive showcased some of the most advanced technology we’ve encountered in an escape room. It was intimidating to walk into a bare room with nothing but a massive control board with foreign-looking buttons and symbols.

The puzzles were elegant in concept and presentation. Because there were no mechanical locks, the puzzles were unlike any other. The unabashed use of technology allowed for less logic thinking and more “How do I tinker with this apparatus?”

ninenineBEN

The puzzles in this room aren’t the usual logic puzzles that have come to be an escape room staple. All of the puzzles in this room require some sort of communication between team members – so when your gamemaster tells you that you need to communicate in this room, make sure to listen to them!

There were no locks in this room which always seems to throw us off at the start, but I thought that it really worked in the grand scheme of the room. We got fun, creative puzzles that were deceptively simple and didn’t over-rely on number combinations.

Look nineninePAULIE

The intriguing bareness of the room paired well with the elegance of the puzzles. The machinery in each room served as the centrepiece. The intentional lack of decoration allowed players to focus on how to solve each puzzle instead of trying to tease out red herring from relevance.

eighteightBEN

There’s not a lot in this room, but I thought it was appropriate given the theme. It also wasn’t conspicuously empty – it did feel right!

Immersion tentenPAULIE

This room pushes not only your mental limits but also your patience. There was a lot of shouting from our group and, conversely, listening to each other. You have to be able to be expressive but also be receptive to information.

ninenineBEN

I thought that this room was great at building momentum – it almost always felt like we were moving forward instead of being stuck. Unfortunately, since we came with a smaller group, there were times when I had to wait on the rest of my group members to do something before I could jump in.

Theme eighteightPAULIE

This was one area that The Directive relegated to the sideline, and, understandably so. The puzzles speak for themselves–complete them and get out.

eighteightBEN

It was a standard theme as far as escape rooms go, but it was executed very well. I enjoyed the twist that happened midway through!

Overall Diamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-comPAULIE

This room was a stellar accomplishment from GTFO and deserves a #diamond. It reinforces them as a premiere escape room company within the Edmonton scene. Be warned: This room isn’t for small groups or rookies. If this were a videogame, The Directive is final-bad-guy level.

Diamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-comBEN

I would give this room a #diamond. I think to really get the most from this room, you need to go with 5 or 6 people (which we unfortunately didn’t). This room is absolutely perfect if you’re doing a team-building activity of some sort!

  • Completed: August 2017
  • Escaped? No (4 people)
  • Time: 0:55 (/0:45)
  • # of hints used: 1
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UNMASKED http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/28/unmasked/ http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/28/unmasked/#respond Mon, 28 Aug 2017 19:22:39 +0000 http://escaperoomreport.ca/?p=5277 Congratulations. You are still in the running to be America’s Next Top Murder Victim.

> CALGARY (YYC) > Cognito

mcqueen_jpeg_size_custom_crop_1086x724

recappppp

  • Website: Cognito
  • Address: 805 14 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2A4
  • Private Booking: No
  • Price: $25 per person
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Linearity: Nonlinear
  • Group size: #medium
  • Player Level: #competent
  • Features:
  • Premise: “You’ve been selected to meet with the director of Unmasked Modeling Agency–an opportunity so exclusive that the location has been kept totally confidential! Excited to be a new face model, you have no idea what surprises lie ahead. The receptionist wishes you good luck before the door closes and looks behind you.

ratingssss

RATING PAULIE BEN
Service tenten tenten
Puzzles ninenine ninenine
Look eighteight eighteight
Immersion tenten tenten
Theme tenten tenten

reviewwwww

Service tentenPAULIE

The folks at Cognito are always all genuine smiles. They even made escape room recommendations for other Canadian provinces.

tentenBEN

Unlike our previous visit to do Sorcerer’s Academy, we actually arrived on time! They got us in quickly, and after the room they talked to us a bit about what their future plans are for Cognito. They were very friendly as always.

Puzzles nineninePAULIE

The puzzles leaned heavily on low-tech locks. While the concepts were mostly ordinary, there were moments of extraordinary creativity in terms of execution here. The puzzles were so deeply rooted into the environment and story that you would never think they were puzzles – this room definitely bamboozled me several times.

ninenineBEN

There was a nice variety of puzzles here, with some puzzle elements that made us interact with some pretty fun technology that we’ve never played with before! There was one puzzle that we got hung up on that unfortunately caused us to time out – it wasn’t completely unsolvable in hindsight but it was very tough in the moment!

Look eighteightPAULIE

My favorite part was the first portion of the room because of its highly (and deceptively) realistic appearance. The subsequent portions become progressively but appropriately bare.

eighteightBEN

This room was very clean in a way that made it easy to pick out what was for a puzzle and what wasn’t. At times, I felt that it was a bit too bare and that there could have been a bit more decor without adding in any red herrings.

Immersion tentenPAULIE

Something happens at the very beginning of your experience that got me #shooketh. As soon as it happened, my proverbial wig came off and I could not get over how clever it was. I just sat there in awe of how they fooled me.  This highly realistic approach paved the way for the rest of the room.

tentenBEN

This (and theme) is where Unmasked absolutely NAILED it! There was a strong story that pulled you along and I loved that there was appropriate music at a good volume, which is missing a surprising amount of the time. I also really liked the hint system! Another thing to note is that we weren’t given a super long spiel about the logistics (e.g., here is the hint button, you can leave when you want, etc.) but instead we found out about things ourselves as we went.

Theme tentenPAULIE

Reading the title “Unmasked” alone would probably have you wondering what the room is about. I thought it would be about modeling, with photoshoots and runway walking as puzzles.

However, it was none of that. What it was though was completely surprising. Go in blindly and let the story unfold in the room.

tentenBEN

I mentioned above that the theme of this room was amazing, and I would definitely give this room higher than a 10 here if could! The theme is incredibly unique for an escape room, and it was definitely one of the draws for me to do the room. But what really stood out to me was the story. Unlike other rooms that might have a set story in place for the room, you don’t know much coming into this one. As you do the room, the story unfolds in an incredibly integrated and dynamic way – the decor, the puzzles, the hints, everything! It was just so well done!

Overall Diamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-comPAULIE

This room gets an easy #diamond for prioritizing realism in the player experience. It loses steam in the middle but finishes with a bang. The substantial story and gripping immersion are enough for me to say that this is a must-try room.

Diamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-comBEN

Definitely a #diamond. Ask for hints if you need them so that you can get as far as you can! The ending is worth it!

  • Completed: August 2017
  • Escaped: No (2 people)
  • Our Time: 1:00+
  • # of hints used: ~
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ESCAPE FROM TRUMPS TOWER http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/28/escape-from-trumps-tower/ http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/28/escape-from-trumps-tower/#respond Mon, 28 Aug 2017 16:07:04 +0000 http://escaperoomreport.ca/?p=5220  Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who’s the bigliest of them all?

> CALGARY (YYC) > Confined

dona-trump2

recappppp

  • Website: Confined
  • Address: 2020 32 Ave NE L, Calgary, AB T2E 6T4
  • Private Booking: No
  • Price: $25 per person
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Linearity: Mixed
  • Group size: #medium
  • Player Level: #competent
  • Features:
  • Premise: n/a

ratingssss

RATING PAULIE BEN
Service ninenine tenten
Puzzles sixsix eighteight
Look sixsix sevenseven
Immersion sixsix sevenseven
Theme sevenseven eighteight

reviewwwww

Service nineninePAULIE

Standard overall.

tentenBEN

One thing that I know has been consistent with my visits to Confined has been the friendly service! I love going there – everyone has always been very welcoming and warm.

Puzzles sixsixPAULIE

The puzzles played on the POTUS’s controversies in his campaign, speeches, and policies.

There were equal parts of humor and camp here. The puzzles were self-referential and the room never took itself seriously. However, while funny on paper, the humor and campiness fell flat in execution. The puzzles’ novelty factor wore thin and just became a series of references.

The puzzles were a confusing paradox: The room is built around the Trump product which is all about money and grandeur, yet the puzzle components felt cheap and consisted of Mr. Potato Head and Lego pieces.

eighteightBEN

I have to say that the solution to some of the puzzles in this room made me laugh out loud. It definitely helped to know a few of the more common ways in which Trump has been made fun of. You’ll need to be very observant in this room, since you need a keen eye to find all the pieces you need to solve certain puzzles!

Look sixsixPAULIE

Size-wise, some parts were tiny. Prop-wise, it was juvenile. Atmosphere-wise, it was unnecessarily dark.

sevensevenBEN

Compared to Alice in 3D and Cabin Fever, this room wasn’t quite as incredible looking. That said, the setting of the theme isn’t something that is as inherently amazing as their previous two rooms. I thought that what was there did look good though – a bit standard, but good.

Immersion sixsixPAULIE

I smirked at the references, in an “Oh I get it” way. Beyond that though, the room didn’t carry much weight. I wish there was more as I felt the room had an overreliance on its theme.

sevensevenBEN

What Confined is really good at is transporting you to another world with their decor. I thought that without the strength of a really good setting, I didn’t feel as drawn-in as in their previous rooms. To me, the puzzles also weren’t as engaging.

Theme sevensevenPAULIE

Tackling a public figure that is so omnipresent and current is a massive and brave undertaking. They get bonus points for offering another out-of-the-box theme, which is consistent with Confined’s other rooms. However, I’m not sure if there was any substance to the room other than escaping from Trump Tower.

eighteight BEN

This is definitely one of the most unique themes I’ve seen, and that theme was echoed consistently throughout the puzzles. It was nice to see something a bit lighter than the typical escape room thoroughfare (bank heists, secret labs, killers, etc.).

Overall PAULIEsilver-955496_960_720

This room gets a rating of #silver. Underneath the smokescreen of having Trump as a theme, the room was a campy offering that never took itself seriously. The novelty eventually wore thin and substance was sorely missed.

Tv1IU1JBEN

I give this room a #gold. It wasn’t my favourite, but If you’re into something a little bit more campy, then give this room a shot!

  • Completed: April 2017
  • Escaped? Yes (4 people)
  • Our Time: 0:52 (/1:00)
  • # of hints used: 1
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THE HEIST http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/26/the-heist-2/ http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/26/the-heist-2/#respond Sun, 27 Aug 2017 01:33:15 +0000 http://escaperoomreport.ca/?p=5188 Breaking the bank.

> EDMONTON (YEG) > GTFO

p-1-baby-driver-real-criminals

recappppp

  • Website: GTFO
  • Address: 10018 105 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1C3
  • Private Booking: No
  • Price: $25 per person
  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Linearity: Linear
  • Group size: #small
  • Player Level: #rookie
  • Features:
  • Premise: “You’ve received a mysterious tip from someone planning a hit on the bank, and they’re putting together a small crew to pull it off. If the job goes well, you could walk away a very wealthy person. Will you participate in the biggest score this town has ever seen?”

ratingssss

RATING PAULIE BEN
Service tenten tenten
Puzzles sevenseven eighteight
Look sevenseven sevenseven
Immersion sevenseven eighteight
Theme sevenseven sevenseven

reviewwwww

Service tentenPAULIE

We did this room on GTFO’s re-opening weekend. If they had cookies and water for free consumption before, they had pizza, cake, and soda this time around. They clearly know the surest way to an escape room player’s heart.

tentenBEN

Service at GTFO has always been amazing, but they really brought it for their reopening.

Puzzles PAULIEsevenseven

The puzzles were serving escape-room-circa-early-2010s realness: You had laminated sheets cut into little pieces for a makeshift jigsaw, classic lock-and-key-operated boxes, and others that were very straightforward.

I could see how the puzzles here could be fun to solve in the early days of Edmonton’s escape room scene. In the context of 2017, however, the low-techness and simplicity of it all came across as dated.

eighteightBEN

There are a good variety of solid puzzles here – some wordy, some numbery, some findy. There should be something for everyone! The puzzles mostly follow a linear progression and are the traditional combo-and-lock format. I personally found them a bit too straightforward, but that may be because I’ve done too many rooms!

Look sevensevenPAULIE

There was a clear and purposeful progression to the look of this room. What started out as an innocent-looking office space progressed into a full-blown internal bank vault.

At times bare, and at times decorated with glitzy props, the look was tastefully designed.

sevensevenBEN

I didn’t find anything particularly compelling about the room’s look, but it also wasn’t bad. One thing in particular that I did like was the room’s use of physical space. There was always enough wiggle room for our group of 4 to do our thing.

Immersion sevensevenPAULIE

There was a lot of screaming on our end every time we solved a puzzle. This was partly due to our own craziness, partly due to the sugar content of the free cake, and particularly because the excitement slowly but surely built up.

We finished in a very short time though (a testament to how easy and simple the puzzles were), which made us go, “That’s it?”

eighteightBEN

In this room, we had asked the GTFO staff to hide some birthday gifts in one of the last puzzles for our friends to find. This was definitely a motivating factor for us to go quick and break out (or at least find the gifts). When our friends found the gifts, they exclaimed, “Wow they hide prizes in here? How did they know I wanted this?!” And they were serious. Thanks for hiding the gifts for us GTFO!

Theme sevensevenPAULIE

At the time of writing, there are three heist-themed rooms in Edmonton (and more in Calgary–and innumerably more across the globe). This was Edmonton’s first.

For a theme as common as this, there wasn’t much to the story as the tasks were already pretty straightforward.

sevensevenBEN

This was a straightforward heist theme. While this might have been more exciting for someone doing their first room, the theme was pretty much negligible. That said, the puzzles and decor were still thematically appropriate!

Overall Tv1IU1JPAULIE

This room gets a #gold. We are aware that this is one of Edmonton’s most-beloved rooms, as per different escape room blog posts. While it was still a great room, some of its components have been left behind by time.

Tv1IU1JBEN

I would give this room a #gold! This room is fantastic for people who are just starting with escape rooms. Bring a smaller group so everyone can contribute!

  • Completed: February 2017
  • Escaped? Yes (4 people)
  • Time: 0:23 (/0:45)
  • # of hints used: 0
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THE GALLERY http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/26/the-gallery/ http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/26/the-gallery/#respond Sun, 27 Aug 2017 01:15:57 +0000 http://escaperoomreport.ca/?p=5140 Paint the town red.

> EDMONTON (YEG) > Logic Lock

andy-warhol-art

recappppp

  • Website: Logic Lock
  • Address: 10336 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 1Y7
  • Private Booking: Yes
  • Price: $25 per person
  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Linearity: Linear
  • Group size: #medium
  • Player Level: #rookie
  • Features:
  • Premise: “The Forty Plus One collective of thieves successfully stole the Carmen Lucia Ruby from the American Showcase Gallery, but upon inspection they realized that it was a fake. To continue your initiation trial, the FPO have sent you and your team to the gallery to locate the real ruby and uncover why the one they have is a forgery. “

ratingssss

RATING PAULIE
Service tenten
Puzzles eighteight
Look eighteight
Immersion ninenine
Theme sevenseven

reviewwwww

Service PAULIE tenten

Logic Lock always makes you feel warm and fuzzy when you visit. We’ve gotten to know the staff and owners there really well over the past year. They always strive to uphold excellence in their customer service.

Puzzles PAULIE eighteight

The Gallery leaned heavily on technology to anchor the puzzles. They were sometimes covert, requiring acute perception to discern the tiniest detail in your surroundings. They were sometimes obvious, with certain gizmos in the room displaying puzzles that were begging to be solved.

The puzzles had a mix of difficulty, depending on which type caters to how your brain functions. It would have been cool to have the paintings themselves be manipulable, instead of just being passive sources of clues in the room.

Look PAULIE eighteight

This room was clinically clean, as what you would expect from an actual art gallery. The props were impeccable replicas of European art history’s greatest hits. The blueprint was strategic, allowing players to feel like they’re staging an authentic break-in.

This room would benefit from minor furniture tweaking though, as some of the shelves make it look like a mansion than a museum.

Immersion PAULIE ninenine

Pioneered by Logic Lock, the clue system paves the way for a complete immersive experience, with no one in a uniform coming in to give you a clue and reminding you that you are merely playing a game.

What sets this apart from other other Logic Lock rooms though is how they constantly reinforce the notion that you are in the middle of a break-in vulnerable to being caught at any moment. They do something cool and different to up the notch of immersion.

Theme PAULIE sevenseven

One of the hallmarks of this room is the story being a continuation of The Warehouse’s. While cute, I’m not entirely sure if it really mattered in the room.

Overall etall-shiny-detailed-scratched-texture-background-d-render-62055359PAULIE

This room gets a #platinum for being a worthy addition to Logic Lock’s ever-growing collection of great rooms.

  • Completed: March 2017
  • Escaped? Yes (2 people)
  • Our Time: 0:42 (/0:45)
  • # of hints used: 0
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CABARET VOLTAIRE http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/01/cabaret-voltaire/ http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/01/cabaret-voltaire/#respond Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:26:53 +0000 http://escaperoomreport.ca/?p=4744 Dadabble in the unconventional.

> CALGARY (YYC) > A/Maze

cabaret

recappppp

  • Website: A/Maze
  • Address: 206 11 Ave SE #102, Calgary, AB T2G 0X8
  • Private Booking: No
  • Price: $27 per person
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Linearity: Mixed
  • Group size: #medium
  • Player Level: #pro
  • Features:
  • Premise: “Your friend Hans, a bartender at Gottfried’s, has uncovered a dastardly plot orchestrated by the Cabaret Voltaire’s creators—in an act of defiance, they have managed to steal famous pieces of Art from all around Europe, and plan to destroy them at the strike of midnight. You find yourself inside only to realise that you have been trapped by the creators. You have one hour to escape or become a permanent fixture on the walls of the Cabaret.”

ratingssss

RATING PAULIE BEN
Service tenten tenten
Puzzles ninenine tenten
Look ninenine ninenine
Immersion tenten tenten
Theme ninenine eighteight

reviewwwww

Service tentenPAULIE

A/Maze was one of the few anticipated debutant escape rooms of 2017. The owner talked to us about A/Maze being a fruit of his passion, relayed the details of how Cabaret Voltaire came to be, and teased us about their next room.

tentenBEN

We noticed that there were no bookings at their next available slot, but it was an hour or so away, so we called to ask if we could just pop in and do the room ASAP. They were very accommodating and got us into the room as soon as we arrived.

Puzzles nineninePAULIE

The puzzles in Cabaret Voltaire were integrated seamlessly into the story. The story steps into the foreground and provides the framework for the puzzle progression.

There was creativity here in spades, as what seemed to be an innocuous object became necessary to move onto the next step.

tentenBEN

What stood out to me about the puzzles here was how nicely they were integrated into the environment! There weren’t any boxes with locks on them lying around the room, which meant you had to do a bit more exploring. I thought that the real strength of this room was the puzzle progression. While there were lots of different types of puzzles to do, the way that the room guided you through them was intuitive and engaging.

I also loved some of the surprising and fun uses of tech in this room. I only wish that for some of the puzzles we completed, there was some sort of feedback (visual/audio/something) to let us know what we did.

Look nineninePAULIE

The environment was gorgeous, thanks in particular to the large antique set pieces and a collection of small vintage curiosities that contributed to the overall atmosphere. Cabaret Voltaire transported us not only into a different space but also through time.

ninenineBEN

Cabaret Voltaire takes advantage of the Amaze building’s natural walls to great effect. Combined with the vintage decor, Amaze does a great job of bringing to life a believable setting. The excellent decor did highlight some props that didn’t fit in quite as well, but I don’t think I would have minded as much if the rest of the room didn’t look so nice!

Immersion tentenPAULIE

This room spelled out the true meaning of breaking in. In an unprecedented twist, this room starts very abruptly and dares blur the line between reality and artificial immersion. (Deep-cut reference: I felt like Newt Scamander trying to figure out how to get into Gnarlack’s cabaret.)

tentenBEN

Cabaret Voltaire started out subtly, but for a brief moment, the beginning made me go, “Where does the room start and where does real life end?!” …which may have been an overreaction on my part, but I thought the start was a fun idea that worked out really well.

The hint system and the background audio definitely kept the feeling of immersiveness going in the room. I did find that the audio was a bit loud at times though.

Theme nineninePAULIE

While most rooms have tacked on stories that get abandoned in-room, Cabaret Voltaire is the opposite: The introductory story was as convoluted as can be, but the room lets you explore and be engrossed in the story. The characters in this room were almost too real. A simple Wikipedia search would reveal historically accurate references found in this room.

eighteightBEN

I wasn’t aware of the theme before coming to the room. When our gamemaster was explaining it to us, I thought that the concept was interesting, and definitely unique. However, I wasn’t a huge fan of how the theme developed in the room. To me, it felt a bit like it was forcing the whole “escape or die” trope that is very common in escape rooms.

Also, looking back on the Amaze site, I’m not certain that the room’s description completely captured the feel of the room, but that could just be me.

Overall Diamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-comPAULIE

This room gets a #diamond for daring to be unconventional and unfamiliar. Cabaret Voltaire is a bit of an acquired taste. This room would be perfect for escape room pros who crave something extraordinary. I’m still haunted by the room after several days.

Diamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-comBEN

I would definitely give this room a #diamond. It’s an incredibly polished room and the amount of work that Amaze put into this room is very obvious. If all their rooms are this good, they’re definitely a company to watch out for in Calgary!

  • Completed: July 2017
  • Escaped: Yes (2 people)
  • Our Time: 0:45 (/1:00)
  • # of hints used: ~
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SORCERER’S ACADEMY http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/01/sorcerers-academy/ http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/08/01/sorcerers-academy/#respond Tue, 01 Aug 2017 17:04:14 +0000 http://escaperoomreport.ca/?p=4705 Alohomora!

> CALGARY (YYC) > Cognito

19149210_1587686141265744_5671082532224476257_n

recappppp

  • Website: Cognito
  • Address: 805 14 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2A4
  • Private Booking: No
  • Price: $25 per person
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Linearity: Nonlinear
  • Group size: #medium
  • Player Level: #pro
  • Features:
  • Premise: “Sincerest congratulations on being selected to undergo the admissions process for Sorcerer’s Academy–one of the finest schools of magic in the world! Brush up on your wandwork as you sample the various domains of the magical arts and earn a seat to study sorcery!”

ratingssss

RATING PAULIE BEN
Service tenten tenten
Puzzles tenten tenten
Look sevenseven ninenine
Immersion ninenine ninenine
Theme ninenine ninenine

reviewwwww

Service tentenPAULIE

Located on the outskirts of Kensington, Cognito is one of the surprise additions to the Calgary escape room scene in 2017. The gamemaster was gracious enough to let us play for extra time when we did not finish the room.

tentenBEN

We got there REALLY REALLY late because of some terrible traffic, but they were very nice about it and we were still able to play! They’re also very friendly and nice to talk to.

Puzzles tentenPAULIE

The room’s meat is in the puzzles. What seemed to be a familiar display of escape room tropes, the puzzles delivered many surprises.

Designed to test your team’s individual solving skills, the puzzles catered to different strengths. It’s up to you and your friends to determine who would be most efficient at what station.

tentenBEN

Not only were the puzzles creative, but the way that puzzles were organized and flowed was also fantastic. This room had a great system that allowed us to easily link a puzzle to the box it’s supposed to open. This made sure there weren’t any instances where we had a 3-digit combo, and countless 3-digit locks to try that combo in.

Look sevensevenPAULIE

The room had a certain charm. What looked like a nondescript office was actually a magical one laden with little trinkets and knickknacks referencing Harry Potter, some of it clearly made, printed, and glued together on-site. There were some impressive pieces here. Some of it, though,  was a little rundown, fragile, and easily tearable.

ninenineBEN

I actually really liked how the room looked! The major pieces in the room looked pretty great, but there are some small details that didn’t look as nice (like Paulie mentioned, some visible glue, some pieces of paper that didn’t look very magical). The not-as-nice parts may have just been emphasized by what I thought was a good-looking room overall.

Immersion nineninePAULIE

Without spoiling anything, Sorcerer’s Academy sends hints in a very unconventional but very thematic way. Owl be the first to say that I found it magical. (I wonder if this method works on Sundays?)

ninenineBEN

I’m not very punny, so I’ll just leave it at what Paulie said.

Theme nineninePAULIE

Yes, this is a biased rating due to my unabashed love for Harry Potter. It’s surprising how this is the first of its kind in Calgary/Edmonton. The folks at Cognito took accio-ed this theme and ran away apparated with it.

ninenineBEN

I love magic themes! This room in particular was about as close as you can get to Harry Potter without being a Harry Potter room.

Overall etall-shiny-detailed-scratched-texture-background-d-render-62055359PAULIE

Solid #platinum. Sorcerer’s Academy turned your standard bag of tricks inside out. If you’re seeking a magical fantasy escape room, this school is worth enrolling in.

etall-shiny-detailed-scratched-texture-background-d-render-62055359BEN

#platinum! School is a drag without any friends, so bring a bunch! You’ll need them!

  • Completed: July 2017
  • Escaped: No (4 people)
  • Our Time: 1:08 (/1:00)
  • # of hints used: ~
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LOS ANGELES – Escape Room Reviews http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/07/27/los-angeles-escape-room-reviews/ http://escaperoomreport.ca/2017/07/27/los-angeles-escape-room-reviews/#respond Fri, 28 Jul 2017 03:14:25 +0000 http://escaperoomreport.ca/?p=4300

HH_santamonicapier_18_1270x560_FitToBoxSmallDimension_Center

We recently got back from a trip to Los Angeles this July 2017. We realize that although you are probably from Western Canada, our neighbor across the border is close enough that you could be planning a trip in the future.

True to form of being the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles delivered some of the best escape room experiences we have ever had. Featuring movie-like set pieces, the rooms never failed to amaze us–both in scope and grandeur.

Keep in mind that although the Internet would suggest that there were arguably better rooms available (Hex Room – Cross Roads Escape Games, The Basement – The Basement), our options were limited. It was only Ben and I playing so we had limited options of rooms catering to two people.

Here are all of the rooms that we did, carefully chosen based on Facebook groups and travel review sites:

  1. Magic Kingdom – Maze Rooms
  2. Wizard’s Workshop – 60 Out
  3. Titanic – 60 Out
  4. Lunar Mission – Maze Rooms
  5. One-Way Ticket – Maze Rooms
  6. Ghost Ship – 60 Out
  7. Jungle – Maze Rooms

PS: The photos are taken from the companies’ official websites. Don’t be cheesed out by them as they are not indicative of how the rooms actually look.

****

MAGIC KINGDOM (Maze Rooms)

https://worldofescapes.com/uploads/quests/3630/medium/magic-kingdom-2.jpg

Premise

You stumble upon a shack in the middle of the woods. It’s up to you and your friends to awaken and feed the giant (yes, an actual giant is in the room) and bring back light to this dark magical kingdom.

Highlights

Without spoiling anything, this room was unlike anything we’ve ever encountered before. You are transported to a setting reminiscent of a fairy tale, thanks to the magnificent use of lights, visuals, and physical props. There was also a very, very cool task that was very, very exciting to complete–all one second of it.

Shortcomings

Tech-heavy rooms are usually susceptible to glitches. This one, unfortunately, was not glitch-free. We were also able to complete the final task based on speed, instead of how it was intended to be completed.

Overall:

Diamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-comDiamond

This was fairy tale theme done right. Hands down, one of, if not the absolute best escape room experience we’ve ever had.

****

WIZARD’S WORKSHOP (60 Out)



Premise

You are a newly-appointed apprentice. Your teacher was careless enough with his magic and made his body disappear. Your task is to reunite your teacher’s body with his now homeless soul.

Highlights

The set pieces in this room were incredible. Starting in a nondescript wizard’s office with no obvious puzzles in sight, you make your way through different rooms that consisted of larger-than-life props. The room also requires players to perform actions that are otherwise not typically allowed in escape rooms. Our mouths were agape at different points of the room. “Did we really just do that?”

Shortcomings

What was supposed to be a fantastical theme became science fictional at times. A tremendous machine served as the centrepiece for one of the rooms. Though it was impressive in scale, it felt out of place.

Overall:

Diamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-comDiamond

We highly recommend this room for being whimsical and out-of-the-box. It’s not often that beautiful set pieces are paired with a creative puzzle blueprint. Try it especially if you grew up on Harry Potter like we did.

****

TITANIC (60 Out)

https://escapeauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_6156.jpg

Premise

You’ve traveled back in time and you are now part of Titanic’s engineering crew. Quick! Activate the controls, reverse history, and save lives.

Highlights

This room wins the award for having the most realistic setting. Boasting metallic walls, gigantic pipes and gears, and rustic walls and floors, it was a fantastic replica of the real thing. The puzzles were the apparatuses themselves as the room allows you to manipulate the ship like a real crew member would. Forget using your fingers to pick locks and dials, this room will make your entire body #werk. There was also one familiar item here that seemed to serve no purpose, only for players to realize its placement to be sheer genius.

Shortcomings

The room was spacious, although at times the massive space felt suffocating. While the room may look like an actual ship, it never felt like we were on one.

Overall:

Diamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-comDiamond

Half-puzzle-based and half-task-based, Titanic is a must-do room. You will love it and you will never let go.

****

LUNAR MISSION (Maze Rooms)

https://i0.wp.com/la.qadviser.com/img/thumbs/lunar-mission-028f0f.jpg

Premise

This is the movie Gravity in escape room form, except this time George Clooney and Sandra Bullock are both the protagonists and share equal responsibilities. Reunite with your team member and head back to Earth.

Highlights

This room had a room within a room within a room, like a Russian nesting doll. Each compartment features moderately difficult puzzles and tasks. It is also surprisingly physical, requiring players to run (and crawl) back and forth through the labyrinthine space. It all ends in a very satisfying but nausea-inducing moment.

Shortcomings

There was an entire room decorated with puzzles and props that was completely irrelevant and bypassable.

Overall:

Diamond-Texture-Pattern-picspaper-comDiamond

This is a must-try if you’re a puzzle-lover and enjoy this genre.

****

ONE-WAY TICKET (Maze Rooms)

https://worldofescapes.com/uploads/quests/3631/medium/one-way-ticket-2.jpg

Premise

You snag a one-way ticket to use aboard a train when you’re suddenly tasked with the job of defusing a bomb.

Highlights

Long and divided into multiple carriages, this room smartly uses its space. It’s decorated elegantly with set pieces, akin to what you would see on a train in early 20th century Europe.  The puzzles are laid out nicely within a sensible progression.

Shortcomings

The room had multiple scavenger hunt-oriented tasks. Not being able to find items in the dimly lit room became frustrating and we wanted to wave a white flag.

Overall:

etall-shiny-detailed-scratched-texture-background-d-render-62055359Platinum

We finished with single-digit seconds to spare which admittedly amplified our experience. Fast-paced and showcasing a clear puzzle progression, this room is worth it.

****

GHOST SHIP (60 Out)

Premise

You are a pirate stuck on a massive ship with seemingly never-ending rooms. You are an impending victim of a wretched curse and it’s up to you to break it.

Highlights

This room equally blends the themes “ghost” and “ship” to make for an atmospheric nautical conquest. It’s part-horror, part-adventure. The puzzles will twist your brain and the special effects will make your hair raise. It all culminates into a very satisfying ending.

Shortcomings

There was a particular puzzle involving keys that we solved with plain trialing-and-erroring method. There were also a few glitches in the technology. This included a less-than-responsive audio feedback, supposedly to indicate correct puzzle-solving but that made us go “Huh? Where did that sound come from?”

Overall:

etall-shiny-detailed-scratched-texture-background-d-render-62055359Platinum

This room was well worth the time and money for its sheer number of puzzles and tasks. Time will fly–with less idle thinking and more busy maneuvering.

****

JUNGLE GAME (Maze Rooms)

https://worldofescapes.com/uploads/quests/3250/medium/jungle-game-2.jpg

Premise

In what is clearly not the smartest idea between you and your friends, you play a Jumanji-esque board game in the forest. Beat the game so you can escape.

Highlights

The puzzle progression was very unorthodox, largely anchored by a board game in the middle of the room. There was also visual feedback every time you correctly solved a puzzle which made for a very satisfying puzzle-solving experience.

Shortcomings

The look was very outdated, amateurish, and cheap. The puzzle instructions were numbered chronologically but the order was still somehow very jumbled and confusing.

Overall:

silver-955496_960_720Silver

This room had a certain charm. We appreciated what it had to offer, but it has been left behind by time.

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